“Hey,” I answer. “Give me one sec.”

I pull the phone away from my ear and turn back to Claudia. “I’ll come tomorrow.”

She grins. “Yay! Okay, I’ll see you then. I’ll text Katie about it, too.”

“Okay, sounds good,” I reply. We say goodbye, and I raise the phone back up to my ear. “Okay, I’m back.”

“You hungry?” Jace’s voice resonates through the speaker.

“Yeah, I am,” I reply. “I haven’t eaten since the sandwiches your mom packed. I’m just leaving the library.”

“The main one?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I’m leaving the gym now. I’ll meet you at Casey.”

I walk across campus. The path is crowded with students rushing to catch up with each other along with the work they ignored over break. I stop outside the dining hall, taking a seat on one of the benches. I’m still wearing the same yoga pants and Fulton Football sweatshirt I wore in the car.

My hair keeps blowing in my face, so I pull back the wayward strands and weave them together in a loose French braid. I look up to see Jace walking toward me seconds later, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

He’s changed from earlier, now wearing a matching set of athletic apparel embroidered with Lincoln Football and the school’s insignia. He gives me a tired smile as he reaches the metal bench and holds out a hand.

“C’mon, let’s get some food. I can’t sit down, or I won’t get up again for a few hours.”

“Long day?” I tease, taking his outstretched hand and letting him pull me vertical.

“Just an eight-hour drive followed by three hours of watching film,” Jace replies. “All in a typical day’s work.”

“At least it was only a couple traffic delays this time and not another engine issue.”

We walk into the large dining hall. To my surprise, Jace keeps his grip on my hand.

“And I did offer to drive,” I remind him, trying to focus on our conversation and not the attention Jace’s entrance has drawn.

“You did,” Jace replies. “But I wanted to make it back to campus alive, so…”

“You can’t judge my driving skills based on what happened to that little cart!” I reply indignantly. “I’d never driven one of those before, and they’re different from a car.”

“You’re right,” Jace responds dryly. “They’re a lot easier to drive than a car.”

I look over at him, and he’s grinning widely. He must have showered just before leaving the gym, because his dark brown hair is still damp. The water droplets glimmer under the bright lights of the glorified cafeteria.

“Alden said he has trouble with it sometimes,” I inform him defensively.

“Alden’s been driving the cart since he was ten. He only said that because he has a crush on you and was trying to make you feel better.”

“Looks like you’ve got some competition, then.” I wink.

“Alden will be thrilled. Maybe he can take you out for a ride in the cart for your first date,” Jace suggests.